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Water Lilies and Agapanthus (2025)

First work of the year:

Water Lilies and Agapanthus (2025)
Acrylic paint, carved wood. 50 x 70 x 3 cm

Here’s something new I am currently exploring. I mentioned in my last newsletter that I usually reserve the time around Christmas and the New Year to calm down, read books about famous artists (this year it’s Monet all the way), admiring and analyzing their work, wandering in their shoes and in their times for a bit, feeling how they might’ve felt – and contemplating what I (the artist) want (need!) to be doing next. There all all these ideas, thoughts, rough concepts, the nonsense and the rage, swirling around in my head. Nothing really to hold on to, but that is anyway not what I am aiming for – I try to be as free as I can in this phase. No restraints. And no pressure.

So for my first time spent in the studio this year I approached a painting from impressionist Claude Monet from 1923, called „Water Lilies and Agapanthus“, painted in his famous garden in Giverny.

I carved and painted this in my famous old farmhouse house in the countryside, middle of nowhere, up North. I hope it gives you joy.

If you are interested in this work, please contact my studio manager Dorian by mail.

MY ARTWORK IS TERRIBLE AND I AM A VERY BAD PERSON

[this is the main text from my newsletter - you can subscribe to it here and read it 24 hrs earlier (I know, quite an incentive, right??)]

Yeah. Another year almost done. Yeah. More wise words, another artist newsletter to f***ing read before we clock out of 2024. Yeah. Yeah.

But I am not looking back, no way, last year was a bit too far off for my taste. However, focusing on what's to come seems even harder, as there’s never been such uncertainty ahead of me as today.

The time between Christmas and the New Year is usually reserved for calming down, reading books about artists (this year it's Monet all the way), admiring and analyzing their work, wandering in their shoes and their times a bit, feeling how they might've felt – and contemplating what I (the artist) want (need!) to be doing next. There are all these ideas, thoughts, rough concepts, the nonsense and the rage, swirling around in my head. Nothing really to hold on to, but that is anyway not what I am aiming for – I try to be as free as I can in this phase. No restraints. And no pressure.

Somehow achieving this state of mind this year seems more difficult than usual.

But look, here’s what I did to nevertheless get to the place I need to go to:

I picked up a new sketchbook from under the tree, a present from my son Melvin, one he watched me unwrap with a big smile on his face. As a sketchbook, it is not really that good: the paper is thick but really cheap, so my ink bleeds out if I'm not careful, the binding won't fold up enough, so I gotta hold the pages down while drawing. It is one of those sell-out products you get at Museum Stores; Melvin picked this one up at the Tate Modern. But I do like it, it is making money for one of my favorite artists, David Shrigley, and on the front he drew in fat letters:

MY ARTWORK IS TERRIBLE AND I AM A VERY BAD PERSON

As an artist and a father, probably not the nicest words to read on Christmas Eve on a gift from your son, who's also been your gallerist, but I know how well Melvin meant this and we do share the same humor. So yeah, we had a good laugh. But what Shrigley says here is very true - I guess this "feeling" is in many artists' heads, and not just the struggling ones, because it is about coping with doubts, which probably most of us do a lot more than necessary. And once you're finished diminishing your talent and artwork and career, you go on to feeling poorly as a person too. I mentioned earlier that I love reading books about famous artists, so I feel authorized to say: most of them did feel shitty about themselves a lot throughout their glorious artist lives.

That is roughly where I found myself: instead of quietening down, I stood at the entrance of the rabbit hole, not sure whether to crawl inside or turn around and just shrug it off, as I am usually more than capable of, dealing with this kind of life for such a long time already. The book and the quote came at a pretty good moment, when I just wanted to figure out what to do next, not really getting in the mood to let go and think freely.

And so, early in the morning of December 29, 2024, I picked up my fountain pen and that lovely grey ink I got from a friend, and began to fill the 144 pages of Shrigley's mean sketchbook – well, only on one side because of the mediocre paper quality, so it comes to 72 in total.

And: I didn't stop until I finished the last page, some time after midnight.

The drawings all are pretty moody and dark, for the first time I am using French instead of English, there are also lots of flowers and other references to art history and artists I admire (Monet! Schiele! Pettibon! Even Shrigley gets a page, that old bastard - yu can find it at the bottom of this newsletter.), some are pretty bad (I can be a terrible artist if I want to) and some are just mean (I am a bad person, remember), but most are like climbing on a ladder out of my dark thoughts, leaving them on the cheap paper, and diving back into my own head, refreshed and oblivious, where I will rest now till the end of the year (and a bit beyond that), before I go back to the studio and paint and build and carve and draw the f**k out of 2025.

I wish you all a great start into the New Year,
may all your hopes and dreams come true.

Let's all work together and make the world safe and lovable again.

I see you on the other side.

Jörg

Good Job.

Dear friends,

I have some good news for you all today: "GOOD JOB," my new book, is coming out next week in a beautiful, fat publication, available for pre-order now and celebrated with a release party next Thursday (Nov 28, 7 PM) at my publisher’s, GUDBERG NERGER, in Hamburg.

Insane! 500 drawings that I created since 2021—the last one is from this summer. When a body of work of such volume comes in printed form, it is simply overwhelming for me as an artist. But I really cannot tell you more; it is impossible to judge from my point of view, and I have no sales pitch for you except:

This is a beautiful book of the highest quality, both in terms of print and layout. It is limited to 250 copies. It contains my heart and soul and my view of the world; it is sometimes romantic, funny, melancholic, political, harsh, soft-spoken, angry, or noisy. 500 drawings is a lot! The times in which these pages were created are tough. Some of it resonates in these drawings, and some will help you smile again. I would hope I could convince people who have wandered off into the far-right and populist abyss to change their fucked up minds, but I know that this is a task so huge I cannot ask of this book.

I can only recommend getting it online, or even better—come to the launch. We will install a lot of original drawings at the gallery of GUDBERG NERGER. I will, of course, be there to sign it, talk to you about it, and generally have a good time celebrating together. Just click the links here to get all the info:

Pre-order. (Yes I will sign those too if you want me to!)

Book release at GUDBERG NERGER
28th of November, 7–11 PM.

Kisses and hugs go out to Jan Müller-Wiefel at GUDBERG NERGER for a job well done producing it (and patience with me), to Yasha Young and Jonathan LeVine for their forewords in the book, to Geberit for the support, to the printers at AZ Druck, and to Kehrwieder for the beer on tap at the opening. More kisses and hugs will be handed out next Thursday.

FCKTHSSHT.

Even though I am seeing myself as a political person and an artist with a voice I am not sure that I need to comment on the insane election result in the USA. It’s not my country. Am I super disappointed? Sure. We can only hope there are enough people with some sense around in the next government so that our world doesn’t go spiraling down the fascist abyss even more. It will also be our task here in Germany to avoid this in our own country come next year’s elections.

There’s work to do.

Unwrapped - Exhibition & auction ARE … OVER Now. Here’s a re-cap.

My retrospective “Unwrapped - the Alex Diamond Archives” opened Thursday, Sept 26. All work was online available via Silent Auction - at the MEGA contemporary site .

Just quickly - it was ahuge sucess. Thank you all who supported this!

„Unwrapped - The Diamond Archives“, was a Retrospective with work by Alex Diamond from 1998 – 2022!

In this unconventional exhibition, all artwork was offered in a Silent Auction, breaking with the rigid art market rules (Punk’s not dead after all 👊) and starting with minimum bids well below the original prices. You could place your bid secretly on-site and online. At the end of the exhibition, Melvin informed all bidders if their bid was high enough and successful.

I am waiving my share of the auction proceeds so Melvin can invest the entire amount in his own gallery, MEGA Contemporary. Crowdfunding with a twist! By participating in the Silent Auction, you were not only doing something good for your walls at home, but you were also helping to establish a new and young art destination in Hamburg.

#unwrapped: The Diamond Archives - a retrospective

Save the date(s) in your calendar! This one will be special. Here’s the official text from Melvin:

# UNWRAPPED: The Diamond Archives

It’s going to be emotional: The final joint exhibition of the father-son duo Melvin and Jörg Heikhaus is approaching. “UNWRAPPED: The Diamond Archives” will be a retrospective of a special kind. After more than eight years of intensive collaboration at heliumcowboy, we have decided that Alex Diamond will not be represented by MEGA Contemporary—but before that, I would like to take one last look back at the impressive history of this extraordinary artist with you.

Jörg handed me the keys to his personal archive—a fascinating collection of works from the last 20 years. These are true treasures that showcase the transformation and evolution of Alex Diamond in all its facets. From his very early paintings, drawings, and collages to the first originals and prints with and on wood, to his iconic wood images that have now become his trademark—there is so much to discover and revisit. As I first browsed through the collection, memories of the legendary exhibitions at the heliumcowboy artspace on Sternstraße immediately came back—the beginning of a brilliant era as an artist and gallerist.

Look forward to absolute highlights from two decades of artistic work at the limit! The exhibition will take place in our headquarters at Bäckerbreitergang 75. There couldn’t be a better place for this special show, and I look forward to filling the walls from top to bottom with the art of Alex Diamond.

To ensure that these treasures also find their way into your collection, they will be auctioned off in a Silent Auction. For this special retrospective, we are breaking the rigid art market rules and starting with minimum bids well below the original prices. You can place your bids secretly on-site and online. At the end of the exhibition (after two weeks), we will inform you of the results.

What’s particularly MEGA: Jörg is waiving his share of the auction proceeds and is investing the entire amount in the reorientation of my gallery MEGA Contemporary. Crowdfunding with a twist! By participating in the Silent Auction, you are not only doing something good for your walls at home, but you are also helping me establish a new art venue in Hamburg during these challenging times.

We look forward to welcoming you to this wonderful, emotional exhibition where we can indulge together in the beautiful memories of an impressive artistic career that is now embarking on new paths.

Exhibition Dates:

Opening Reception:

Thursday, September 26, 6–10 pm

Weekend Views with Coffee & Cake:

Saturday and Sunday, September 28 & 29, 4–7 pm

Exhibition runs until October 11.

Visiting hours will be posted on Instagram, or you can schedule an appointment: info@me-ga.art

"Alex Diamond and the Demoncatchers", ARTotale Lüneburg, 2009.

New book - and new online shop

I just released a new book, and so it takes total sense that my new shop is online! If you are interested in my latest publications, please go shopping here!

Currently there are only three products: all my still available exhibition catalogues or books from my last three solo shows:

THEY ALL MUST BE SLAUGHTERED | EXHIBITION CATALOGUE (2024)

My new book is a documentation of my last solo exhibition „They all must be slaughtered“, which was my final show with heliumcobwoy that took place at TheMISSION in Hamburg (now MEGA contemporary).

Due to a sweet little error on the cover, every book comes individually embellished (signed) on the front (surprise!).

52 pages, 24 x 17 cm.

Limited to 150, signed and numbered.

12 € plus shipping

Let me know if you would like me to write a special dedication

Order here

IT'S ALL GOOD. | ALEX DIAMOND AT BARLACH HALLE K. – THE BOOK (2022)

Rare and limited Edition Book about “It’s all good.”, my largest solo exhibition to date, that took place at Barlach Halle K. in Hamburg, 2022.

Limited to 50 (!) copies, numbered and signed and with individually painted & hand printed cover by me (and Lucy!).

152 full color pages, 24 x 17 cm.

55 €

ORDER HERE

FUCK THIS SHIT. | EXHIBITION CATALOGUE (2021)

Catalogue released on the occasion of the triple-header-exhibition “in other words: <_blank>” at the heliumcowboy gallery, June – August 2021, featuring individual presentations of the work of Boris Hoppek, Jens Rausch and Alex Diamond.

“In other words: <_blank>” was the first exhibition by the gallery in Hamburg to open its doors to visitors in June 2021, following several lockdowns and three postponements. It was conceptualized the year before – already in the face of the difficult situation that has changed all of our lives and has also posed a major challenge to the creative industry.

Three cataloges were published, one for each artist, focusing on their part of this exhibition.

This is the catalogue about my contribution to the show, consisting of the special installation “F.T.S.” (Fuck this Shit).

60 pages, 23,5 x 18 cm

Photography: Julia Schwendner

Art Direction: Fabian Wolf

12 €

Order here

ENTER Art Fair with Galerie Bludin Berisha

I will be travelling to Copenhagen end of the week to take part in the ENTER Art Fair. I am represented by Galerie Bludin Berisha and will show 40 new works on paper. I am very exciting and hope to see you there, if you are in town or can make it!

More details:

Enter Art Fair 29th August – 1st September 2024

Opening hours:
Thursday August 29th:
First Choice Preview: 13.00 – 15.00 (By invitation only)
VIP Preview: 15.00 – 20.00 (by invitation only)

Friday August 30th: 11.00 – 20.00
Saturday August 31st: 11.00 – 19.00
Sunday September 1st: 11.00 – 18.00

website

Archiving & new Book

Archiving my drawings 1 to 490 *.

I always said as soon as I reach 500 drawings I will release them as a book. Ideally in a high-end Manga-like jewel of a publication. And now I will: together with the amazing people from Gudberg Nerger.

Click image to download most current drawing overview. Status: 08.07.24

Almost there. Ten drawings to go. You just wait and see ;)

PS: If you are in Copenhagen end of August: Galerie Bludin Berisha will show a bunch of these works at their booth at ENTER art fair . Summer only just begun …

And yes, please continue buying the drawings as they in the end will most likely finance the book.

* why the asterisk? Ah yes, cos I wanted to let you know that many of the drawings I am archiving here are only printouts - from the ones sold. If you want to know which ones are available: drop me a mail, or download the PDF here.

GONAKADET

GONAKADET (2024)
Woodcut, acrylic paint, 63 x 53 x 4 cm

The Gonakadet, commonly referred to as the Sea-Wolf, is a mythical creature in the Tlingit tradition of the Pacific Northwest Coast of North America. Simultaneously strong, generous and humble, the Sea-Wolf was said to bring great luck and wealth to anyone fortunate enough to spy it, or hear its soulful howl.

Gonakadet is said to be inspired by the Vancouver coastal sea wolves, which are found in the Great Bear Rainforest and in northern Vancouver Island.

This work was specifically created for the exhibition ULVEN+ at Galerie Wolfsen, Aalborg. Opening of the exhibition is Saturday, June 22. It is also the celebration of the 60’s birthday of gallery founder Kent Wolfsen. A great gallerist always has some Gonakadet in her/him - Kent for sure does.

PS: Sound samples used in the video above are from Pigeon Hole’s „Wolf Pack“ and „The Island of the Sea Wolves“, spoken by Will Arnett

SAILING INTO THE SUNSET: THIS WAS MY FINAL EXHIBITION WITH HELIUMCOWBOY

„They all must be slaughtered“ was my last show at heliumcowboy.

This was not an easy decision, especially since I enjoyed working so closely with Melvin, but we both have the feeling that my connection to heliumcowboy has become an obstacle not easily overcome and therefore is counterproductive for Melvin and his progression as an independent gallerist.

Remember: I handed the keys and all responsibility over to (my son) Melvin in 2020, when I wanted to close heliumcowboy for good. There were several reasons, but the main one was that I did not want to be „also-a-gallerist“ one minute longer.

Here is some background:

heliumcowboy was never meant to be such a big venture when it started. It all began in my tiny art studio in St. Pauli with first exhibitions of other talent in 2002.

But then it became so incredibly successful in a very short time and turned into one of the most influential galleries of the first decade of the 2000’s. Crazy! I had an amazing team and we did good work here on the Ranch (and around the world) - it was a lot of fun!

Already back then though I had plans to pass the captaincy of heliumcowboy on to my manager Isabel, but the financial crisis hit us hard and made this impossible. So I continued for another ten years in which I juggled both, working on my own art and representing international artists, exhibiting them in the new space in Hamburg and on art fairs abroad etc. At a reduced pace, yes, but still. Tough work, that became more and more difficult to combine with my own art practice.

I was relieved when I mentioned my exit plan to Melvin four years ago and he immediately embraced the opportunity to become the sole and independent curator and gallerist of heliumcowboy.

He had already worked several years at the gallery, first as an assistant and since 2019 as its manager. He was and still is the right (and most likely only) choice to take this place over.

However … no matter how small my influence and presence may have been in reality these past years, and no matter how autonomous Melvin runs this place - we both feel he needs more space.

Believe me, figuring this out was a painful process.

But I get it. I do.

The bitter truth is hard to grasp sometimes, that is why it took me so long to make this decision to permanently walk away from heliumcowboy. Melvin will of course continue to do his great work, he also has some plans that will change his … scenario even more.

But it is not my place to tell you about it. You’ll see and hear more from him soon enough...

Don’t worry about me (if you do at all), I have things to look forward to in the future, there is already a project with another gallery from Hamburg under way (more soon), I have shows in Denmark and the US on the horizon, there are talks with new galleries and most of all: I will never stop doing my art. There is no alternative.

Being an artist also means being free from most restraints of other professions, and maybe I just got a bit more freedom back now.

So, yeah:

It’s all good.

And I’ll see you around.

P.S.:The history of heliumcowboy is well documented here: heliumcowboy.com/past-shows

Everything must end some day: Finissage February 29!

It has been a wonderful couple of weeks (months really ;)) since my latest exhibition ”They all must be slaughtered” was opened in December 2023. Now it all comes to an end:

Please celebrate with me the Finissage of this very special show

on Thursday, February 29, from 5 - 9 pm

at The MISSION by heliumcowboy
Kaiser-Wilhelm-Str. 87, 20355 Hamburg.

Apart from this event, you can visit Wednesdays - Fridays 2 – 6 pm.

Below are some new images from the new works we released last week during the exhibition. And for all the imformation about the show - continue to read here!

All about: 'THEY ALL MUST BE SLAUGHTERED' Exhibition

Ok. Got four minutes and your speakers on? Above is a walkthrough of my new exhibition, including sound. You really should watch till the end (surprise awaits). This is how my new show „They all must be slaughtered“ is presented at The MISSION by heliumcowboy.

The song „They all must be slaughtered“ by the Melvins runs on constant repeat (from Vinyl), and together with the light setting it creates the unique, dark and apocalyptic athmosphere I wanted for this exhibition, which is more like a play on a stage than just a show of artworks.

Continue reading (and view more images from the exhibition and the opening)

Exhibition until March 2, 2024
Open wednesdays - fridays 14 – 18 h

Exhibition Location:
The MISSION by heliumcowboy
Kaiser-Wilhelm-Straße 87, Hamburg